A different pair of Big / Little Brothers, Ian and John, in front of the BBS sign at the group's Tucson headquarters.
Listen:
Mike and his Big Brother Elliot
The non-profit group Big Brothers originated in New York City in 1904, and the Tucson chapter was founded in 1963 by Dr. Hugh C. Thompson Jr. Nationally, the organization merged with Big Sisters in 1977.
Its mission is to put boys and girls in need of positive role models together with adult volunteers to foster mentoring and friendships.
According to BBBS volunteer coordinator Kat Henrichs, one of their greatest challenges is finding enough Big Brothers to be matched with the number of boys on the waiting list.
When college student Elliot Breshears signed up five years ago, he was matched with a boy named Mike. Mike is now fifteen, and he and Elliot spent some time between Frisbee throws talking with Mark McLemore about the things that make their friendship strong.
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